I recently came across some photos taken 20 years ago of the area where I live. I remember taking them during a period when I was experimenting with black and white instead of my normal colour slides. Just for fun I decided to go out and take some present day photos at the same locations. I know the development that has taken place has provided me with a home but I can’t help feeling sad at the way the British countryside is rapidly disappearing. On a more positive note I suppose it is good to see that the railway has survived and that in many respects the passenger service has actually improved. A Class 40 diesel hauling an oil products train from Stanlow refinery probably bound for Leeds. This photo was taken in about 1981. The white building is the old station that closed in the 1950’s. A similar working in 2002. A Class 66 hauling empty propylene tanks from Stanlow refinery to Humber refinery. Shell no longer use rail to transfer oil products to their customers. Note that a new station has now been constructed in the background. This opened in 1983. A first generation DMU on a Manchester – North Wales service again taken in about 1981. The modern day equivalent is the Class 158 DMU. The open fields have well and truly disappeared. I have converted the modern day photos to b/w because I think it is easier to make comparisons with the originals. John
Fascinating comparisons John. Lots of open space has disappeared, but more foliage along the track sides. Good idea to put the current pics in B/W, makes a change
Wow John, what a change! Do you think the folk living in the old station mind the train noise? In the second one, the only ways you could tell it's the same place were by the slight S in the track and a couple of electricity pylons! And although I'm only 27, there's plenty of local places that I can walk round saying "aaah remember when it were only fields.... )
<font color="336633">I do that and i'm only 24 I lovo to see then and now photos.... but only when there is still a railway there, I have seen some that there is no trace that a railway even existed </font>
Went to see the registrar today and realised that I must be 28 and not 27.....it must be the relaxed air down here, or maybe i'm going senile a bit early!!!
Those are great photots. The later photos look much better with all the foilage. Martyn. You are just one more year closer to retirement.
